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🔦 72‑hour Urban Outage Prep

Scenario. Power and running water are unavailable city‑wide for about 72 hours. You’re at home in your apartment (with optional small basement storage). Shops may be open briefly but card payments and ATMs do not work; mobile networks and internet are unreliable; emergency lines are congested; toilets do not flush, no running water, no heating.

Water: plan ~3 L per person per day → ~9 L per person for 72h
Food: ~2,000–2,400 kcal/day adult (adjust to needs)
Lighting: 1 headlamp + 1 lantern per household (that can light up a room), spare batteries and power banks

This is a sober, practical list—not doomsday

Water

Essentials

  • Stored drinking water: at least 9 L per person (stackable 5–10 L containers or 1.5 L bottles).
  • Disinfection: purification tablets or a gas stove to boil water.

Extras

  • 20 L water jug (options) for extra reserve.
  • Compact water filter (squeeze or straw type; e.g., LifeStraw) as last‑resort treatment.
  • Preservation tablets: Aqua Clean pills to keep 20 L containers fresh for up to 6 months (product link).

Store the bulk in the coolest available spot (often a basement room). Rotate every 6 months.

Food (no/low cook)

Essentials

  • Ready‑to‑eat: canned fish, beans, veg, fruit, shelf‑stable soups, protein bars.
  • Dry goods: Rice, pasta, instant noodles, 'knækbrød', crackers, nuts, candy, Nescafe

Extras

  • Tea/coffee sachets, spices/condiments, whisky or similar for morale.
  • Multivitamin; shelf‑stable ready meals (MRE‑type) for variety.

Emphasize foods you already eat—rotate through normal use. Keep at least 3 days of calories per person.

Cooking & heat (indoor‑safe)

Essentials

Extras

  • Trangia cooking set (alcohol stove with pots/pan), they also have a gas option

Store fuel sources away from ignition sources and living spaces.

Lighting & power

Essentials

  • Headlamps for each adult; LED lantern for a main room. (generally, ensure that all eletrical devices are USB-C rechargeable)
  • 2 × 20,000 mAh power banks.
  • Spare AA and AAA batteries.
  • Device charging cables (USB‑C/Lightning/Micro‑USB as needed).
  • Battery AM/FM radio (or hand‑crank).
  • Candles

Extras

  • Flashlights

Maintenance: recharge all rechargeable devices (power banks, lanterns, headlamps, radios) at least every 6 months.

Sanitation (no running water, no flush)

Essentials

  • Toilet kit: heavy‑duty trash bags, toilet liners or a big bucket with lid, zip ties.
  • Keep extra toilet paper and paper towels
  • Personal hygiene: wet wipes, hand sanitizer, soap

Medical & safety

Essentials

  • First aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, gauze, tape, pain/fever meds, antihistamine).
  • Prescription meds: 3–7 day buffer where possible; copies of prescriptions.
  • Disposable gloves

Cash, docs & comms

Essentials

  • Cash for 3 days (2-3000 DKK): small bills and coins (card terminals/ATMs may be down).
  • Printed emergency contacts and local maps (Kraks kort); meeting point plan.
  • Meeting point plan, scheduled meet-ups

Extras

  • Walkie‑talkies (e.g., PMR446 in EU / FRS in US) for local comms. Note: very short range in dense cities (often a few blocks), best with line‑of‑sight.

Tools & apartment items

Essentials

  • Multi‑tool, duct tape, zip ties, small toolkit (screwdrivers, wrench, pliers).
  • Plastic bags, tinfoil, food‑safe storage bags.

Extras

  • Spare fuses (if relevant)
  • Proper fixed blade knife, for the apocalypse
  • Rope, paracord

Barter items

Essentials

  • Extra cash
  • Disposable lighters and matches.
  • AA/AAA batteries (common sizes).

Extras

  • Cheap flashlights
  • Small 5,000–10,000 mAh power bank for trade/loan
  • Small‑denomination silver coins or bullion (e.g., 1/10–1 oz), stored discreetly.
  • Mini bottles of alcohol (whisky/vodka), factory‑sealed for trade/gifting.
  • Sealed bottled water (0.5–1.5 L) or spare 5–10 L jugs.
  • Spare charging cables (USB‑C/Lightning)
  • Hygiene basics: wet wipes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, heavy‑duty trash bags.
  • Menstrual products; small pack of diapers (if relevant).
  • Candles